Adequate housing is central to a decent life, and is recognized as such in several international human rights instruments. Without proper housing, access to other necessities, such as adequate food and water, clothing, medical care, physical protection, education and employment may be compromised.



The Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia and the Carnegie Middle East Centre held an expert group meeting on Security Sector Transformation in Arab Transitions: Working for Change.  The meeting was held at the United Nations House in Beirut, on 17 and 18 December 2012, and was attended by representatives of Governments, security services, civil society and research centres, in addition to human rights activists, researchers and academics.

UNESCWA's Centre for Women in partnership with the Woodrow Wilson International Centre for Scholars organized the training. The objective of training was to increase women''s political participation in Iraq, identify gaps in programs, discuss strategies for fostering empowerment and develop a plan for coordination and cooperation. 25 politically active Iraqi women attended the training, including the Iraqi Minister of State for Women and two members of the Iraqi Governing Council.